Detroit man pleads in death of 22-year-old Fraser twin

A 67-year-old Detroit man pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter in the August crash that killed a 22-year-old Fraser man.

Ronald Lee Haggen pleaded to the original charge against him Tuesday in front of Judge Mary Chrzanowski in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens in the death of Ryan J. Roberts.

“Everybody involved in this wanted some resolution in this matter for closure instead of a long drawn-out trial,” said Haggen’s attorney, Warren Harris. “I know this is a very traumatic and devastating incident for the family on the other side. This has been no party for my client and his family. It affects him every day. This is a very tragic event for both sides.”

Haggen’s plea is treated as a guilty plea in criminal court but avoids an admission of guilt for civil court.

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Haggen, who has been free after posting 10 percent of a $25,000 bond, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 28. The offense is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Harris declined to provide an estimate for the potential sentencing guideline range. Haggen had a clean criminal and driving record, he said.

Fraser Public Safety officials said that Haggen was speeding in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo on Aug. 2 as he passed two other motorists on southbound Hayes Road, sideswiping one of them, before crashing into the rear of a Pontiac Sunfire at the 15 Mile Road intersection.

Ryan Roberts, who died the next day from his injuries, was riding with his twin brother, Drew, in the Pontiac, after they attended a movie at MJR cinema in Sterling Heights. Drew Roberts suffered serious injuries, police said.

Harris said Haggen, a diabetic, passed out due to low blood sugar and was unconscious upon impact. He had a tiny amount of alcohol in his system.

Haggen was hospitalized for injuries suffered in the crash.

The twins graduated in 2008 from Fraser High School, where both played varsity football.